Vanda Hybrids: Ascda. Pharaoh Gold x Vanda sanderiana

Ascda. Pharaoh Gold x Vanda sanderiana is a hybrid, known for its vibrant pink salmon like flower with pink lips.

General Information about Vanda Orchids:

Vanda orchids are renowned for their stunning blooms, making them a favorite among orchid enthusiasts. Native to tropical Asia, these heat-loving orchids thrive in conditions that closely mimic their natural habitat, where they hang from trees with nearly no soil. With the right care, Vanda orchids can bloom several times a year, offering vibrant, colorful displays.

Vanda orchids are epiphytic, clinging to tree bark or hanging from cracks in cliffs and rocky areas. They rely on minimal soil and organic matter collected over time for sustenance. These orchids can bloom multiple times annually, producing 1 to 4-inch (3-10 cm) flowers in various colors, often speckled or dappled with white. The foliage is thick, round, and glossy, with plants ranging from miniature sizes to several feet tall.

Vanda orchids grow from thick, fleshy bulbs that store moisture and energy, sending out aerial roots for support and moisture absorption. Predominantly grown as houseplants in most climates due to their lack of cold tolerance, they are favored by breeders for their ease of propagation and hybrid production. They are relatively easy to care for, thriving even with periodic neglect.

Care of Vanda Orchids:

• Temperature: Prefer warm temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 95°F (35°C). They cannot tolerate temperatures below 55°F.
• Light:
  • Strap-leaved: Need partial shade and protection from bright midday light.
  • Terete: Require bright light and high sun.
  • Semi-terete: Need conditions between those of strap-leaved and terete varieties.
• Water: Keep moist but not soggy to prevent rot. Use a chunky bark medium or other gritty soil that drains well.
• Humidity: Require 80% humidity, provided by a humidifier or regular misting.
• Repotting: Repot every three to five years in spring.
• Fertilizing: During the growing season, feed once a week with a quarter-strength balanced fertilizer.

Specific Growing Tips:

• Light: Need a lot of light to grow and bloom well. Smaller varieties like Ascocentrum or Neofinetia hybrids can be grown indoors. In a greenhouse, provide 50%-100% full sun, with shade cloth for southern climates below the 37th parallel.
• Temperature: Prefer warm to hot growing conditions. They can tolerate high temperatures up to 105°F (41°C) if humidity, water, air circulation, and shading are increased accordingly.
• Water: Water daily in a greenhouse, whether potted, in a hanging basket, or mounted. Use lukewarm water to avoid damaging the plants.
• Humidity: Maintain high humidity to prevent the roots from drying out too quickly, ensuring air circulation to avoid fungal or bacterial diseases.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) at half to quarter strength during active growth. Reduce or eliminate fertilizing in autumn and winter.
• Potting: Can be grown without media or mounted. If potted, repot when the media starts to break down, using medium to coarse orchid bark mix in a greenhouse setting.

This is a blooming-size imported bare root orchid, in a 4" hanging basket. It is about 1 to 2 years from blooming and is grown from seed. Limited availability!

By following these care tips, your Vanda orchids will thrive, producing beautiful blooms and adding a tropical touch to your home or greenhouse.